Laos, the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar surprised me in every possible way. Lush, mountainous, peaceful, spiritual, mischievous, dramatic, and absolutely unforgettable. From turquoise waterfalls to dramatic viewpoints, cultural ceremonies to train-station chaos, Laos carved its place in my heart. Here’s everything I experienced.
First Impressions: Welcome to Laos
Laos is nicknamed “Lan Xang” which means “Land of a million elephants”. The national language is Lao, similar to Thai, and the currency is the Lao kip. The kip is not strong, so travel is affordable. The moment I landed in Luang Prabang, I grabbed a shared taxi for 100,000 kip (less than $5!) and immediately felt how relaxed and unhurried the country is.
What struck me first? The lush mountains, the peaceful streets, the Mekong River winding everywhere, and the beautiful calm energy of the people.
Luang Prabang: Night Markets, Tuk Tuks & Beerlao
After checking in, I hopped into a tuk tuk and headed straight to the night market, a must for every visitor. The colours, the food, the atmosphere… everything was amazing. I sampled noodles, barbecue, crepes, ice cream, and of course Beerlao, the national beer. The market is also perfect for souvenirs.
Luang Prabang is charming, safe, and perfect for slow wandering.
💧 Kuang Si Falls: Turquoise Paradise
The next day I visited Kuang Si Falls, the famous cascading turquoise waterfalls. I hiked to the top and then swam in three of the pools.
Let me warn you: these pools may look dreamy but they are dangerous. The rocks under the water are sharp and scattered, and the banks are very slippery. But after the hot hike, the cool water was heavenly. We even attempted swimming toward the waterfalls, the pressure makes it a good workout!
Culture & Community: Visiting the Hmong Village
I visited a Hmong village and learned about the ethnic groups in Laos. We talked about Laos’ independence from France. French is no longer widely spoken, but the influence remains, you’ll see it in the baguettes, croissants, and strong coffee culture.
Laos is diverse, gentle, and full of tradition.
Mekong River Cruise & Sticky Rice Wine
I joined a sunset cruise on the Mekong, with a stop at a cave temple in the mountain. Afterward, we visited a local winery where wine is made from sticky rice, white from white rice, red from red rice. Smelling the fermenting rice reminded me of sourdough starter (the baker in me!).
I also saw the bottles of whiskey containing snakes and scorpions, each with its own health claims. Laos doesn’t play.
Tak Bat: The Almsgiving Ceremony
On my last morning in Luang Prabang, I woke up early to join the Tak Bat ceremony. I arrived before 5:30 a.m., bought cooked sticky rice and cookies, sat on a tiny stool, and waited.
When the monks passed, I put on the gloves and offered rice and cookies into their containers. It was peaceful, humbling, beautiful, except my poor butt, which suffered one hour on the tiny stool!
After the ceremony, I climbed Mount Phousi for a panoramic sunrise view of the city. Then I headed to the morning market for breakfast.
The Great Train Ticket Drama
My train ticket to Vientiane, ordered online, still hadn’t arrived by the morning and I booked a month ahead. I needed to get to Vientiane for a tour, and the hotel staff only had a contact with expensive, marked-up tickets. It was shady. So I went to the train station and everything until 18:11 was sold out.
That’s how I spent my day at the Laos–China Railway station from 10 a.m. to 6:11 p.m. Chinese tourists kept taking photos with me like I was a celebrity. Now I want to go to rural China where the admiration will be even stronger!
I finally arrived in Vientiane after 8 p.m. and went straight to dinner along the Mekong.
Vang Vieng: Adventure Capital
The next day, I road-tripped to Vang Vieng and climbed the Nam Xay Viewpoint, the iconic spot with the motorbike on top.
The view was worth everything.
The climb? Literal rock climbing. No paved trail. No gentle steps. I was FIGHTING for my life 😅 My first fight with ChatGPT began here, influencers don’t show the suffering, but bestie should have warned me!
After that triumph, I swam in the Blue Lagoon, admired the buffalo, and wandered through rice fields. Then I enjoyed a peaceful afternoon by the river.
I skipped the hot air balloon and paragliding, that’s reserved for Cappadocia. Once is enough!
💚 Final Thoughts
Laos was unexpected, beautiful, and deeply refreshing. From serene rivers to dramatic cliffs, friendly locals to spiritual ceremonies, it left a lasting mark on me.
I’ll definitely return to explore more regions on my next Southeast Asia tour.
Thank you, Laos, you were unexpected, unforgettable, and absolutely magical.
